(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, along with Director of Parks, Recreation and Youth Services Liz Woidt and the Broome County Youth Bureau, announced today $180,000 of dollars in grant funding to youth programs in our community.
The grant recipients were approved by the Broome County Legislature in its December session.
“We are excited to support these many amazing youth programs in Broome County through the Youth Bureau,” said County Executive Jason Garnar. “We want to impact the lives of youth in Broome County in the many areas of their lives whether it be anything from mentoring to sports to education.”
“The Broome County Youth Bureau is excited to obtain these funds from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This will help Broome County continue the mission of the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus to promote the physical, emotional and social well-being of youth and families in Broome County,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Youth Services Liz Woidt. “The programs awarded empower youth of all ages in our community to learn, grow and develop into successful leaders of the future.”
This year, the Youth Bureau awarded $180,000 to programs throughout Broome County. The grant recipients are:
- Summer Playground – City of Binghamton Parks: The program provides a structured recreation program for children Pre-K-4th grade. The daily activity includes sports, games, arts & crafts, swimming, activities and lunch. It provides a critical structured environment for children who may otherwise have no supervision or access to food.
- Summer Zone – Binghamton University: designed to involve youth to address engagement and summer learning loss. This program addresses the unstructured time of at-risk youth during out of school summer months while encouraging student engagement with the school to prepare for the upcoming academic year.
- Gateway/Connection Center – Catholic Charities of Broome County: School and community-based counseling and case management canter that provides comprehensive emotional health services for youth ages 8-21 years and their families.
- Farm to Home – Children’s Home: This family centered program focuses on healthy food options for at risk youth populations in Broome County. Through this program, youth and families will acquire agricultural knowledge and gain educational opportunities, in order to grow and maintain a community garden and greenhouse.
- Winter Skate, Youth Basketball, Softball and Field Hockey – Town of Colesville
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County - 4H Youth Development Center at Finch Hollow: The 4-H Education Center at Finch Hollow has an established track record for delivering high quality, multi-disciplinary programs. CCE Educators provide hands-on STEM programming for youth, focused on learning about science, the environment and the world around them.
- Safe Harbour - Crime Victims Assistance Center: Offers direct support for youth with a history of trauma, or RHY. The program offers comprehensive case management, counseling, personal care items/ clothing, financial support, legal and medical advocacy and community respite. The program also offers peer support and education groups
- Pathways Program - JC Central School District: The Pathways Program is a unique high school program that provides students of potential with a successful high school experience that will lead the way to college or a career in a small, personalized environment.
- Special Hockey Festival and Competition - Life is Washable Inc.: Two events that will help grow participation in special hockey in the Southern Tier and provide an accessible and integrative athletic experience for youth with and without disabilities.
- Compeer Youth Mentoring - Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier: Serves youth under the age of 18, who are at risk from developing social, emotional and behavioral problems.
- Library Program, Playground Program and Waterman Conservation Education Center – Town of Vestal
- Grow Binghamton - VINES: Provides a six-week program which revolves around youth empowerment, civic engagement, and hands on learning about environmental systems with the Binghamton Urban Farm being a living lab for learning. Youth participate in every aspect of food production from seed starting to distributing produce to Binghamton residents in need of access to fresh and affordable food.
- Teen Transitional Living Program - Catholic Charities of Broome County: Provides a safe, structured, supportive housing program for runaway and homeless youth.
